Multi-Power Charger and Battery Backup System

ABSTRACT

A multi-power charger comprises an internal battery, receptacles for connecting one or more external power sources, and output receptacles for connecting to an electronic device. A voltage selection circuit determines an operating voltage of the first device and selects a power supply source to supply the operating voltage the device. The power supply source may be the internal battery, the external power source, or both. The operating voltage is delivered to the device via the output receptacle.

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No.60/875,552, filed Dec. 19, 2006 whose contents are incorporated hereinin its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Since the advent of mobile and portable electronic devices for variousapplications, many types of charging systems have been designed ordeveloped to supplement power to mobile electronic devices and/or torecharge the batteries of those systems. Those power sources includecrank type/dynamo chargers, solar chargers, battery packs, AC/DCchargers, and any combination of these various features. While they havebeen useful to some degree, many of these so called universalmulti-function chargers are not both practical and portable. That is,the devices as implemented are either functionally useful but not trulyportable or portable but not fully or optimally functional in theirvarious design embodiments internally and or externally.

What would be truly useful would be a multi-power battery charger andbattery backup system that enables universal connectivity andportability without sacrificing one for the other. Such a system wouldpermit manual or automatic specification of charging characteristics andbe able to accept single, multiple and simultaneous power inputs forcharging purposes and do so automatically without user intervention orbe selectable as desired by a user. It would be additionally useful forthe multi-power charger to enable the transfer of data between variousdevices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a Multi-power Charger/backupsystem (MPC) according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates additional elements of the Multi-power Charger (MPC)according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the MPC according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates deployment of input and output cables according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary removable surfaces that may be used in withthe MPC according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of components of the MPC according toan embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a control panel of the MPC according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 8A and B illustrate block diagrams of an auto detect CPU circuitof the MPC according to embodiments.

FIG. 9A illustrates a block diagram of the logical components of anautomatic voltage selection circuit according to an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 9B illustrates a block diagram of the logical components of amanual voltage selection circuit according to an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 10 illustrates control logic according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates additional circuitry to enable an MPC to performdata management functions according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a multi-power charger/backupsystem (MPC) according to an embodiment. The MPC 10 comprises acompartmented case comprising a control panel 12 whereby thefunctionality of the MPC 10 is controlled. The control panel 12 has anintegral LCD display 13 which displays the various functions andcapabilities of the MPC 10. The MPC's internal CPU is designed to handlecharging from a wide variety of voltages ranging from about 1.9 volts to24 volts or more as desired with the appropriate watts and amperage thatis suitable to various portable devices that use such power requirementsby user selection. The MPC 10 further comprises retractable power outputcables contained in a generally wheel-like structure 16, 18 forproviding or transmitting power to portable devices. The wheel-likestructures 16, 18 are removable to facilitate replacement of cables thathave failed or use cables that are configured to implement the datatransfer and data exchange features described below. Additionally, theMPC 10 further comprises a retractable input cable contained in awheel-like structure 14 for receiving input power from electricalsources to provide battery charging for an internal battery (see FIG. 3,28). The wheel-like structure 14 is removable to facilitate replacementof a cable that has failed or use a cable that is configured toimplement the data transfer and data exchange features described below.The top portion of the MPC further comprises an actuation button 22 toactuate an internal flashlight 24 and an actuation button 21 foractuating an internal laser pointer 26. The MPC also has an attachmentpoint 20 to which a belt clip can be inserted (not shown), so that theMPC 10 can be carried wherever the user desires. A receptacle 8 isprovided for connection of an external recharging device that providesthe appropriate voltage and current for recharging the battery (see FIG.3, 28).

In an embodiment, a compass 15 is provided. This placement is highlyuseful as the user can easily see the compass in the MPC if that MPC isbeing worn on the belt, for example.

As a further methodology to charge the internal battery of the MPC 10, adynamo internal to the MPC (not shown) is provided. The dynamo is turnedby hand crank 11, which is actuated by a squeezing motion by the user.This hand crank handle is in the shape of a scissor-like form to enableone-handed crank motion as opposed to a two-handed type crank motioni.e., one hand to hold a crank unit and the other hand to rotate ahandle clock-wise to actuate crank based dynamo charging. The design ofthe MPC's crank handle enables a user to hold the MPC by the thumb ofone hand and crank with the other fingers of the same hand. This designalso better enables the crank action to fit the position of a user whenseated. In other words, the up and down motion is located to one end ofthe handle only and the other end fitted with a pivot connected to thecharger frame.

FIG. 2 illustrates additional elements of the MPC according to anembodiment. The MPC 10 further comprises a removable external face 30which can be, in various embodiments, a solar cell which provides acharge to the internal battery or other removable power chargeableservices or attachable/insertable devices that can be inserted in thesame slot as the solar panel as described below. The MPC 10 comprises aslot having electrical contacts 28, which contacts allow forconnectivity to internal circuits of the MPC 10 as further describedbelow.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the MPC 10. The wheel-like structures16, 18 are illustrated in their respective compartments with coversremoved (covers not illustrated). As described above, wheel-likestructures 16, 18 each comprise a retractable power output cable. Apolarity switch 16A allows a user to change the polarity of the voltagedelivered via the power output cable stored on wheel-like structure 16.A polarity switch 18A allows a user to change the polarity of thevoltage delivered via the power output cable stored on wheel-likestructures 18. A battery 28 is accessible in a compartment (illustratedwith battery cover removed).

FIG. 4 illustrates deployment of DC input and output cables according toan embodiment. Retractable cables 38, 40 provide power to a variety ofmobile devices, such as PDA's, MP3 players, a GPS device, notebookcomputer, cell phones, and other mobile devices. An inventory of outputDC charging plugs 42 is provided so that any variety of mobile devicesmay be charged. Retractable cable 34 allows a cable to be connectedthrough input plugs 36 to an external power supply. Illustrated in FIG.4 are an AC adapter plug 36A, a Firewire connector 36B, a USB connector36C, a car power adapter 36D, and an airplane adapter 36E. Theillustrated connectors are not intended to be limiting and other sourcesof power may connected to the retractable cable 34 to provide power tocharge the internal battery of the MPC and to provide power to cables 38and 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary removable surfaces that may be used inconjunction with a MPC according to an embodiment. The MPC 10 comprisesa slot having electrical contacts 28 that engage connector pins ofvarious panel-style devices. In an embodiment, the panel-styled deviceis a solar panel and the pins function as a “charge-in” connector. Inanother embodiment, the panel-style device is a digital music player andthe pins function as a “charge out” connector. In yet anotherembodiment, the panel-style device comprises a storage medium and theconnector pins enable data transfer and exchange through and within theMPC.

In an embodiment, a removable surface comprises a solar cell 30 that canbe inserted into the MPC slot so as to make contact with the electricalcontacts 28. The solar cell 30 is capable of converting solar energy toelectrical energy, charging the internal battery of the MPC (see FIG. 3,28). In yet another embodiment, the slot will accommodate additionaltypes of solar cells that may exist in the future. This interchangeablesolar cell 44 slides into the slot of MPC 10 to provide charging to theinternal battery.

In another embodiment, a promotional/sponsor insert 43 is inserted intothe slot of the MPC. This sponsor insert 43 comprises advertising/imagesgermane to the advertising needs of a particular sponsor. When insertedinto the slot of MPC 10, the sponsor insert 43 makes contact with theelectrical charge contacts for power 28 and displays messages and imagesindicative of a particular sponsor.

In still another embodiment of the removable surface, a game interface45 is provided to allow a user to have entertainment from the device atvarious times. The game interface 45 slides into the slot of MPC 10 andprovides selection means 46 for selecting a particular type of game. Thegame is then displayed on an LCD display 47 integrated with gameinterface 45. Controls for the game 48 are provided in a touch screenarea of the game interface 45, so that the game can be played by theuser.

The exemplary removable surfaces described above are not meant to belimiting. For example, other such surfaces may include an MP3 player, aclock with alarm, a calculator, a GPS receiver and a PDA. These devices,all of which require charging to operate, operate off the internalbattery of the MPC while at the same time having their own batteriescharged.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of the logical components of an MPCaccording to an embodiment. Display 13 is responsive to signals receivedfrom CPU 60. CPU 60 is responsive to the position of modes settingswitches (see, FIG. 7, 100-109), to resistance detection circuit A 62and resistance detection circuit B 64, and to battery charging circuit72. Control switches 74 and 76 direct power from internal and externalsources respectively to charge the internal battery 70 or to providepower to voltage output A 78 and voltage output B 80.

External, internal solar, and dynamo power sources are connected inparallel switching diodes 82A, 82B, and 82C. The switching diodes selectthe activate source to connect to the battery charging circuitautomatically with out any manual switching or selection. If more thanone source of power is connected and activated at the same time, theswitching diodes can compare which is the highest voltage source andwill switch to that source automatically. This way the lower voltagesource will be cut off.

Resistance detection circuit 62 detects the resistance of a chargingplug (see, FIG. 8, 42). In an automatic mode, CPU 60 controls stepup/down voltage regulator A 66 to provide a voltage to voltage output A78 that is determined by the detected resistance. Resistance detectioncircuit B 64 operates in the same manner.

In a manual mode, CPU 60 is responsive to voltage up and down controls(see, FIG. 7, 100-103) to control the output of step up/down voltageregulator A 66 and step up/down voltage regulator B 68.

The polarity of voltage output A 78 and voltage output B 80 can bechange via polarity switches (not illustrated in FIG. 6 but illustratedin FIG. 3 as elements 16A and 16B).

FIG. 7 illustrates a control panel of the MPC according to anembodiment. The control panel 7 comprises an LCD display 112 and aseries of control buttons. Output buttons 100, 101 control the interfaceof the MPC to at least two different devices. It should be noted thatthe fact that two output buttons are illustrated is not meant as alimitation. The internal logic and functioning of the MPC can allow morethan two devices to be powered and/or charged by the MPC. Thus, thepresence of two buttons is illustrative only and is not meant as alimitation. Once a particular output device is selected, voltage adjustbuttons, 102, 103 are used to manually adjust the voltage (if necessary)that is reaching the device that is being powered by the MPC. A furtherdisplay control button 105 is provided to select a charging mode, a datatransfer/exchange mode, a data delete mode and a display appearancemode. The charging and data modes are described in detail below. Theappearance mode allows a user to control the backlighting of the LCDscreen 112 so that it can be visible in different environments. A testbutton 104 is provided to allow a user to determine if all the functionsof the MPC are operating correctly as depicted on the LCD screen 112. Aset button 109 is provided to lock the voltage that has been manuallyselected by a user to charge a targeted mobile device for furthercharging. The MPC can operate in an automatic mode by depressing an autofunction button 107. This auto function button 107 allows the MPC 10 toautomatically detect and provide appropriate charging to the selectedoutput and therefore to the device being charged. The MPC is in effectan AC-DC adapter, a DC-DC adapter, and a USB/Firewire-DC adapter tofurther transmit and provide user selected power voltage ranging fromabout 1.9 volts to 24 volts and related watts and amperage to variouspower chargeable devices. It is also a multi-source internal batteryrechargeable charger that can automatically use or select any one ormore than one type of simultaneous charging through AC. DC, USB,Firewire, Solar and Handcrank/dynamo through its integrated CPUprocessor to optimally charge the MPC itself and any device(s) attachedto it.

As described below (FIG. 10) the detection of the input source isautomatic and governed by processor logic. When an input cable is usedto connect either to an AC, DC or USB/Firewire source, the processorsenses the type of power it receives and automatically converts thatpower to the type necessary to charge the portable unit that has beenselected by the user based on the plug or bridge selected or by thepower requirements of the portable unit that are selected by the uservia the control panel.

The LCD buttons or, control panel, with the exception of the flashlight118 and laser light 116, are also locked automatically when the handcrank is activated as a power source. This feature prevents anaccidental change of voltage during charging operations as the user canpotentially use the thumb or other fingers to place on the controlpanel's button area to hold the MPC when the crank that is locateddirectly below the MPC is activated. In an embodiment, a HOLD button(not illustrated) can be used to manually lock the buttons or controlfunctions to prevent accidental change of voltage or other operationalfeatures in other environments. When this is activated, the processorsenses this and will not allow a change in operations until thatfunction is released. A compass 115 is also illustrated.

In yet another embodiment, the MPC may use the manual and automaticfunction in combination to of detecting and charging a target mobiledevice. In yet another embodiment, the MPC stores and recalls the lastvoltage selected manually in the manual mode so that a user can easilyselect this method voltage selection repeatedly without having tospecifically select the same voltage that is constantly used. In anotherembodiment, the MPC's breaching plug's preset voltage limitation outputused in the AUTO DETECT mode can be overridden in the manual mode. Thisallows for the same plug(s) which has a preset voltage limitation in theAUTO DETECT mode to be used for a different voltage selection that adifferent mobile device may require in the manual mode, thus allowingfor a wider use and connectivity of the same plugs. It should also benoted that, since more than one portable unit can be charged at the sametime, a user can select either the manual or automatic modes forcharging in any combinations various portable devices. Thus, a manualmode may be selected to specify charging characteristics for one unitand an automatic mode can be used to select charging characteristics forthe second unit and in any combination, allowing for a more universaltype charging of diverse electrical or electronic mobile devices.

Additional buttons PWD 106 and CL 108 are provided. PWD 106 (PowerDetect) button is used to instantly check the current level of batterypower in the MPC and this is displayed in the capacity meter 114. Thecapacity meter operates in a “power-saver” mode so that it does no useelectrical energy unnecessarily. The CL 108 (CLEAR) button is used toclear current display of a previously selected voltage setting thatmight have been made in the MANUAL mode.

The display 112 comprises a number of different areas to allow a user todetermine that the MPC is functioning properly. A capacity meter 114 isshown which indicates in a bar graph form the amount of charge that ispresent in the internal battery of the MPC 10. Another area depicts howthe internal battery of the MPC battery is being charged. For example,icons indicate whether the MPC is being charged from an external source113C, from solar energy 113B, or from hand cranking 113A. It should benoted again that the internal battery of the MPC can be charged bymultiple means simultaneously as controlled by the internal logicwithout the need for the user to select a particular method of internalcharging.

The control panel of the MPC also comprises a button 118 that controls aflashlight (see FIG. 1, 24) and a button 116 that controls a laserpointer (see FIG. 1, 26) as desired. The display 112 further comprisesan area showing the output voltage to the devices that are to becharged. Voltage A 110 displays the voltage at output A and voltage B111 displays the voltage at output B. This voltage indication area alsoprovides a flashing indicator when charging an external device that aparticular voltage is taking place. It should be noted that thesevarious indications on display screen 112 are not meant as limitations.The purpose of the display screen 112 is to provide a user with acomplete indication of the functioning of the MPC at any given point intime.

The MPC can automatically select which way to charge its internalrechargeable battery when either connected to an AC, DC, USB/Firewire,solar or hand crank method of charging its internal battery. This way itis also possible to charge external devices that are connected to theMPC via its output cables or any device that may be present in its sidemultimedia/solar panel slot. In other words, user selection is notnecessary to select a particular source of charging as it is automatic.The external power sources and the two internal power sources like thehand crank dynamo and solar cell panel can produce a charging currentthrough a switching diode and battery charging circuit connected to theinternal rechargeable battery in parallel. As such, all of the sourcescan give the charging current to the battery simultaneously without anymanual selection or switching. Additionally, while current is beingprovided to charge the battery, current may also simultaneously beprovided to charge or power a device connected to the MPC output cablesfrom one or more of the external power sources.

FIG. 8A illustrates a block diagram of an auto detect charging connectorCPU circuit of the MPC according to an embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 6and 8, a charging connector 42 comprises a preset resistor 130. Asdescribed below, preset resistor 130 is used by the MPC 10 in anautomatic mode to select an output voltage to charge electronic device132.

FIG. 8B illustrates a block diagram of an auto detect charging connectorCPU circuit of the MPC that utilizes a bridge rectifier according to anembodiment. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, a charging connector 42comprises a preset resistor 130. As described below, preset resistor 130is used by the MPC 10 in an automatic mode to select an output voltageto charge electronic device 132. In this embodiment, bridge rectifier131 automatically determines the polarity of the voltage required byelectronic device 132.

FIG. 9A illustrates a block diagram of the logical components of anautomatic voltage selection circuit according to an embodiment hereof.MPC comprises internal control logic embodied in instructions in the CPU60. The CPU 60, when operating in an automatic mode, receives a signalindicative of the resistance of preset resistor 130 (see FIG. 8, 130) incharging connector 42 from resistance detector 150. CPU 60 providespreset voltage control instructions to voltage regulator 155, whichestablishes a voltage for electronic device 132.

FIG. 9B illustrates a block diagram of the logical components of amanual voltage selection circuit according to an embodiment hereof. Inthis mode, the signal of resistance detector 150 is disregarded by CPU60. The CPU 60 is responsive to voltage up controller 160 and voltagedown controller 165. Once the correct voltage is selected using theup-down controllers, the voltage is set by pressing the “SET” button onthe control panel (FIG. 7, 109).

Referring now to FIG. 10, the MPC control logic is illustrated. The MPC,upon being turned on, launches control logic to monitor the status ofthe MPC. Battery control monitor logic 1000 constantly checks the chargelevel of the internal battery of the MPC and determines if charging isneeded 1002. If no charge is needed, the battery monitor control logic1000 continues to monitor the charge level of the internal battery.

If it is determined that charging is needed 1002, the controller entersthe charge mode 1004 and searches for what sources(s) of energy areavailable 1006. In an embodiment of the MPC charging sources can be wallcurrent, solar cell, or hand cranked electrical source.

Depending on the source available, the controller conditions the currentfrom the source 1008 and applies a charge to the internal MPC battery1010. The control logic can accept current from multiple sourcessimultaneously and condition those sources so that battery charging cancontinue regardless of the sources from which the energy is coming.During charging, the battery control monitor logic 1000 continues tomonitor the internal battery status so that charging continues only whenneeded.

FIG. 11 illustrates additional circuitry to enable an MPC to performdata management functions according to an embodiment. Microcontrollerunit 1100 RAM 1120, CPU 1125, and I/O 1130. Microcontroller unit 1100 isconnected to display 1105, which produces a copy mode display 1110 and adelete mode display 1115 in response to a display mode selection switch1155. Microcontroller unit 1100 routes data to and from external datastorage devices 1140 and 1150 and internal data storage device 1145. Byway of illustration and not as a limitation, an external data storagedevice may be a computer, a PDA, an MP3 player, a cell phone, or a flashmemory device. The local storage device may be an MP3 player or memorydevice that is connected to the MPC through connector 28 illustrated inFIG. 5. It should be noted that the MPC can operate as a standalonedevice for transferring data between other hand held devices such asPDA's, cell phones, iPods and the like that are connected to its variousports. It does not have to be connected to a computer to effect the datatransfer/exchange contemplated herein or it can also be connected to acomputer to effect the transfer of data between the various devicesattached to it and the computer to which it may be connected to.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be, without limitation, embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and that theexamples and embodiments described herein are in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art of thepresent invention will recognize that other embodiments using theconcepts described herein are also possible. Further, any reference toclaim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,”“an,” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to thesingular. Moreover, a reference to a specific time, time interval, andinstantiation of scripts or code segments is in all respectsillustrative and not limiting.

1. A multi-power charger comprising: an internal battery; a first inputreceptacle for connecting to a first external power source; a firstoutput receptacle for connecting to a first device; a voltage selectioncircuit, wherein the voltage selection comprises logic for: determininga first operating voltage of the first device; selecting a first powersupply source to supply the first operating voltage of the first device,wherein the first power supply source is at least one of the groupconsisting of the internal battery and the first external power source;and delivering the first operating voltage to the first outputreceptacle.
 2. The multi-power charger of claim 1, wherein the firstexternal power source is selected from the group consisting of an ACadapter, a computer power supply via a Firewire connection, a computerpower supply via a USB connection, a vehicle battery via a poweradapter, and an airplane electrical system via a power adapter.
 3. Themulti-power charger of claim 1, wherein the first device is selectedfrom the group consisting of an PDA, an MP3 player, a GPS device,notebook computer, and a cell phone.
 4. The multi-power charger of claim1 further comprising a second output receptacle for connecting to asecond device and wherein the voltage selection further comprises logicfor: determining a second operating voltage of the second device;selecting a second power supply source to supply the second operatingvoltage of the second device, wherein the second power supply source isat least one of the group consisting of the internal battery and thefirst external power source; and delivering the second operating voltageto the second output receptacle while simultaneously delivering thefirst operating voltage to the first output receptacle.
 5. Themulti-power charger of claim 4, wherein the first device and the seconddevice are each selected from the group consisting of an PDA, an MP3player, a GPS device, notebook computer, and a cell phone.
 6. Themulti-power charger of claim 4, wherein the first external power sourceis selected from the group consisting of an AC adapter, a computer powersupply via a Firewire connection, a computer power supply via a USBconnection, a vehicle battery via a power adapter, and an airplaneelectrical system via a power adapter.
 7. The multi-power charger ofclaim 1 further comprising a second external power source and whereinthe voltage selection circuit further comprises logic for: selecting afirst power supply source to supply the first operating voltage of thefirst device, wherein the first power supply source is selected from thegroup consisting of the first internal power source, the first externalpower source, and the second external power source; and delivering thefirst operating voltage to the first output receptacle.
 8. Themulti-power charger of claim 7, wherein the first external power sourceand the second external power source are each selected from the groupconsisting of an AC adapter, a computer power supply via a Firewireconnection, a computer power supply via a USB connection, a vehiclebattery via a power adapter, and an airplane electrical system via apower adapter.
 9. The multi-power charger of claim 1 further comprisingan internal charging circuit, wherein the internal charging circuitcomprises logic for: receiving power from an internal charging source;receiving power from the first external power source via the first inputreceptacle; determining whether the internal battery is discharged; ifthe internal battery is discharged, then determining whether the firstexternal power source and the internal charging source are of sufficientcapacity to deliver the first operating voltage of the first device andprovide power to the internal battery; if the first external powersource and the internal charging source are of sufficient capacity todeliver the first operating voltage of the first device and to providepower to the internal battery, then providing power to the internalbattery from at least one of the internal charging source and the firstexternal power source; determining when the internal battery is fullycharged; and if the internal battery is fully charged, ceasing providingpower to the internal battery.
 10. The multi-power charger of claim 9,wherein the first internal charging source is selected from the groupconsisting of a solar panel and a hand-cranked dynamo.
 11. Themulti-power charger of claim 9, wherein the first external power sourceis selected from the group consisting of an AC adapter, a computer powersupply via a Firewire connection, a computer power supply via a USBconnection, a vehicle battery via a power adapter, and an airplaneelectrical system via a power adapter.
 12. The multi-power charger ofclaim 1 further comprising an internal charging circuit, wherein theinternal charging circuit comprises logic for: receiving power from aninternal charging source; receiving power from the first external powersource via the first input receptacle; receiving power from the secondexternal power source via the second input receptacle; determiningwhether the internal battery is discharged; if the internal battery isdischarged, then determining whether the first external power source,the second external power source, and the internal charging source arecollectively of sufficient capacity to deliver the first operatingvoltage of the first device and provide power to the internal battery;if the first external power source, the second external power source,and the internal charging source are collectively of sufficient capacityto deliver the first operating voltage of the first device and providepower to the internal battery, then providing power to the internalbattery from at least one of the internal charging source, the firstexternal power source, and the second external power source; determiningwhen the internal battery is fully charged; and if the internal batteryis fully charged, ceasing providing power to the internal battery. 13.The multi-power charger of claim 11, wherein the first external powersource and the second external power source are each selected from thegroup consisting of an AC adapter, a computer power supply via aFirewire connection, a computer power supply via a USB connection, avehicle battery via a power adapter, and an airplane electrical systemvia a power adapter.
 14. The multi-power charger of claim 1, wherein thefirst device comprises a first device battery, wherein the multi-powercharger further comprising an external charging circuit and wherein theexternal charging circuit comprises logic for: determining whether thefirst device battery is discharged; if the first device battery isdischarged, then providing power to the first device battery via thefirst output receptacle; determining whether the first device battery isfully charged; and if the first device battery is fully charged, ceasingproviding power to the first device battery.
 15. The multi-power chargerof claim 4, wherein the first device comprises a first device batteryand the second device comprises a second device battery, wherein themulti-power charger further comprising an external charging circuit andwherein the external charging circuit comprises logic for: determiningwhether the first device battery is discharged; if the first devicebattery is discharged, then providing power to the first device batteryvia the first output receptacle; determining whether the first devicebattery is fully charged; and if the first device battery is fullycharged, ceasing providing power to the first device battery.determining whether the second device battery is discharged; if thesecond device battery is discharged, then providing power to the seconddevice battery via the second output receptacle; determining whether thesecond device battery is fully charged; and if the first device batteryis fully charged, ceasing providing power to the second device battery.